Today is November 22 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 35.  
 
The desert and the parched land will be glad;  
         the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.  
         Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;  
         it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.  
      3 Strengthen the feeble hands,  
         steady the knees that give way;  
      4 say to those with fearful hearts,  
         “Be strong, do not fear;  
         your God will come,  
         he will come with vengeance;  
         with divine retribution  
         he will come to save you.”  
       5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened  
         and the ears of the deaf unstopped.  
      6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,  
         and the mute tongue shout for joy.  
         Water will gush forth in the wilderness  
         and streams in the desert.  
        10   and those the LORD has rescued will return.  
         They will enter Zion with singing;  
         everlasting joy will crown their heads.  
         Gladness and joy will overtake them,  
         and sorrow and sighing will flee away. 
  
Isaiah speaks about great life, beauty, and fruitfulness that will transform a desert land. This is a song of joy, of hope, and of promise. We’re in a season of autumn that for many feels lush – full of family and joy. And that for many others feels barren – full of loneliness and desolation. Begin your time of prayer today by interceding for those you pass by each day who are lonely, or feeble, or unsteady. 
  
The Kingdom of God brings with it life ‘as it was meant to be’ – eyes that see, bodies that work and are healthy, fields that are fertile, and people who are free, at peace, and redeemed. We of course live in the now, and the not yet… of that Kingdom. Would you listen again and ask the Lord to draw your attention to one word or phrase in particular? Something that might help you become fully aware of both the life, and the longing, that God wants to bring to you today? 
  
Sorrow and sighing will flee away. Let it be, Lord! Ask God to give you an occasion today week to hear the sighing of someone in the world around you. Ask God to allow you to bring comfort, care, or practical help to them… so that you might be a part of God’s transformation in the world around you. Consider someone who might be lonely this holiday season, and extend the welcome of Christ’s big table… where there is always a seat for just… one… more. 
 
Music: "Face to Face" - Heaven & Earth 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RM7oxQUGA